FBI releases report on their decision to change some iCloud password on iPhone

In their recent press statement, the FBI has made everything clear regarding their motives to reset the iCloud password connected to the San Bernardino iPhone unlock case. The confusing situation which was started by FBI prevented Apple from extracting the data from that particular iPhone via iCloud.

However, from FBI have denied every accusation and they stated that their intentions from the start were to access the iCloud account of the suspect to gather further evidence. Furthermore, FBI claims that thanks to its swift actions they were able to successfully retrieve the backup data saved on the iCloud Unlock account up till October 19th.

FBI has proceed to explain the main reason on why they want Apple to create a backdoor by saying that this will be necessary because there still may be a lot of useful data that is kept on the locked iPhone device of the suspect and that this data may significantly contribute for the further development of the case.

It seems that due to unexplained reasons there was not a single file or data backed up on the iCloud account on the iPhone of the suspect after October 19th. Some believe that Syed Farook has disabled the backup feature on the device while others think that the iPhone did not return to use a known Wi-Fi network whilst being plugged in. And it is yet to prove whether a new iCloud backup will create more evidence for the case.

In their press statement, FBI has explained that they want from Apple to create a backdoor that will enable them to extract more data from the iPhone of the suspect. It seems that this is necessary because in previous investigations from similar cases this method was successful and resulted with more evidence that were crucial for the outcome of the cases.

The deadline which FBI set to Apple will expire on Friday. Everybody expects from Apple to formally reject the motion in court, especially after the hard stance which the CEO TIM Cook has expressed in his open letter from last week.

What kind of demand FBI set?

The demand of FBI is simple; they want Apple to create a special version of the iOS that the iPhone device of the suspect is using. This special iOS version should remove certain Passcode related features that will enable FBI to use brute force attack on the Pin code of the iCloud account. This means that FBI wants Apple to create a new firmware version that will enable for unlimited amount of PIN login attempts without the standard hour-long delay before incorrect password entries. The iPhone device involved in this case is a 5C model and apparently this version lacks a fingerprint sensor and several other security features that are enabled by the Secure Enclave of the newer iPhone versions. However, Apple said that the techniques which FBI wants to use in this case can be used on newer iPhone models too.

Many major companies have publicly expressed their support towards Apple regarding its privacy policy and have condemned FBI. According to Mark Cuban and Huawei, the privacy policy of the companies is of great importance and nobody should go against it, no matter the case.